Why choose Howden for your landlords insurance?

We've been providing insurance to communities as their local broker for over 30 years.

Since 1993 Howden Insurance have been providing landlord insurance cover to communities across the UK as a local insurance broker.

And now in 2025 we continue to work with specialist landlord insurers across the industry, comparing policy options on our clients' behalf, based on what they've told us they expect to get from their cover. Whatever modified car you need to insure, and whatever budget your budget, we'll do everything we can to help you get your hands on a comprehensive policy.

Our team also acknowledges that each policy needs to be as individual as its owner and their property, and that’s why we provide a bespoke, personalised service, which focuses on getting to know you and finding out exactly what you want from your landlord insurance cover.

Benefits of working with Howden:

  • You can trust us – we’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
  • We’re driven to save you time, money, and hassle.
  • Benefit from a tailored service that comparison sites can’t provide.
  • Speak with your local branch, within your community.
  • We’re right by your side in the event of a claim.

What is landlords insurance?

Landlords insurance is a specialist policy designed to protect your rental property against financial losses from risks like fire, theft, and weather damage—covering both the building itself and any landlord-owned contents.

Unlike regular home insurance, it covers risks unique to landlords—such as tenant damage and liability claims.

Do I need landlords Insurance?

Whether or not you need landlord insurance will depend on several factors, many of which are related to your personal situation and property portfolio. Although landlord insurance is not legally required, many landlords choose to take out a policy in order to protect their property investment and their monthly income.

For example, if rental payments weren’t coming through from tenants as expected, or a property was in desperate need of repairs, some landlords wouldn’t have the savings to cover these issues whilst also affording to pay off their own mortgage. But that’s where landlord insurance comes in, to provide that peace of mind that your property business is protected for the long run.

What does landlords insurance cover?

Landlord insurance policies are very similar to ordinary home insurance policies, but they instead also include coverage to protect landlords from the regular, day-to-day issues that they face. Landlord policies will always include buildings and contents insurance to cover any structural damage incurred to your property caused by circumstances such as fires, flood, theft or storms.

Many landlord policies might also (but aren’t guaranteed to) include the following:

  • Accidental damage insurance – in case a tenant causes accidental damage to your property
  • Public liability insurance - to protect you against third-party claims (for example, if someone injures themselves on your property.)
  • Rent guarantee insurance – in the case of tenant payment defaults

It’s important to check with your insurer that these are included in your policy, as you may need to pay extra to have them as add-ons. You can, of course, adapt your landlord insurance package to suit your property business and your personal needs because you can pick and choose which coverage options are most important to you.

What doesn’t landlords insurance cover?

Landlord insurance usually doesn’t cover everything by default. Below are some of the most common exceptions, which you can add to your policy for an additional premium:

  • Legal expenses
  • Loss of rent - standard landlord insurance doesn’t cover lost rent if your property is made uninhabitable by incidents like fires or floods
  • Theft by tenant cover
  • Malicious damage by tenants
  • General wear and tear
  • Your tenant’s contents - landlord insurance typically only covers furnished items provided to tenants, like furniture and appliances
  • Unoccupied buildings – typically left beyond 30-60 days

How much does landlords insurance cost?

The cost of your landlord insurance policy will depend on your chosen coverage options and levels. The price may also depend on the following:

  • Type of property
  • Location
  • Age of property
  • Rebuilding cost
  • Details of your tenants
  • Whether you have made a previous claim

To get an accurate figure of the cost, you can get a quick quote with Howden today.

What types of properties can be insured with landlords insurance?

Landlords insurance can cover various property types, such as:

Residential properties - standard buy-to-let rental units
Commercial - properties used for business purposes
Multi-property - covering multiple rental units under one policy
HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) - typically requiring specialised coverage as they're not usually included in standard policies

The best way to get started is by speaking to an insurance broker like Howden. We’ve got years of experience working with landlords and would be proud to help you find an insurance policy that ticks all your boxes too. Call or visit us today and find out more about we can help you with any landlord insurance related queries you might have.

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Landlord's Insurance - FAQs

What’s the difference between rent guarantee and loss of rent cover?

Rent guarantee protects you if tenants default on payments, while loss of rent covers income interruption when the property is uninhabitable (e.g., after fire damage).

Does landlord insurance cover boiler breakdowns?

Boilers are typically not included as standard in most landlord insurance policies; however, certain providers may offer boiler coverage as an add-on. It's important to note that not all insurers provide this option, so ensure you verify before purchasing your policy.

Can I get landlord insurance for short-term rentals (e.g. holiday lets)?

Yes, but you’ll need a specialized short-term let policy—standard landlord insurance won’t cover frequent guest changes or commercial-style rentals.

Do landlords need contents insurance?

While its not mandatory, if you provide tenants with furniture and other contents, it is strongly recommended to protect you against potential damage. For unfurnished properties, building-only coverage is typically sufficient. Tenant belongings are never included.

What is property owner's liability?

This protects you if a tenant/visitor is injured due to property maintenance issues (e.g. a loose railing) and decides to take legal action. It covers legal fees and compensation claims.

What is a rebuilding sum?

A rebuilding sum is the estimated cost to completely reconstruct your property if destroyed. It's different from market value and must be accurate to avoid underinsurance. Use professional calculators or surveys to determine the correct amount.

Does landlord insurance cover roof repairs?

Only for sudden damage - like storm-blown tiles or a tree branch puncture. Gradual problems (e.g. a 10-year-old flat roof leaking more each winter) aren't covered, as they classify as wear and tear. Some policies offer emergency tarping to prevent further damage after storms.

Is home insurance the same as landlords insurance?

Home insurance is required when you want to insure your home against accidental loss or damage.

Landlord insurance, however, is required for a property you rent out to others and do not live in yourself. It addresses unique risks compared to home insurance, factoring in the type of tenants and the length of your ownership. This policy covers the property itself and also protects against issues like lost rental income or intentional damage caused by tenants.

What is accidental damage insurance?

Accidental damage insurance helps protect your property and its contents from unforeseen incidents like spills or breakages. It can be added to your landlord insurance policy to cover repair or replacement costs if you, a tenant, or a visitor accidentally causes damage.
This type of insurance is typically purchased alongside landlord buildings and contents insurance. When arranging this coverage, it’s important to accurately estimate the rebuild value of your property and the replacement value of its contents to ensure full protection when making a claim.


What does accidental damage insurance cover?


Accidental damage insurance pays for repairs or replacements of your property or its contents. For instance, it could cover the cost of replacing a carpet stained by a tenant’s spilled wine or repairing a wall damaged while installing shelves. However, it does not cover gradual wear and tear or items that belong to your tenants.


Do you need accidental damage insurance?


Some landlord insurance policies already include accidental damage as part of their buildings and contents cover, so separate coverage might not be necessary. Always check your policy documents to confirm.
While you may feel a tenant’s damage deposit could suffice to cover repairs, keep in mind that these funds are often unavailable until the tenants move out, and repair costs may exceed the deposit amount. Accidental damage insurance provides an additional layer of financial security in such cases.

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